What makes The Loon by Tapes 'n Tapes notable?

This album received critical acclaim and helped establish Tapes 'n Tapes within the burgeoning indie rock movement of the mid-2000s. It was noted for its unique sound and fresh approach, landing on several year-end best-of lists and contributing to the band's rise in popularity following its release. The Loon was Tapes 'n Tapes' debut album, released in 2005, marking their entry into the indie rock scene. At this point, they were relatively unknown but would soon gain attention from critics and audiences alike, particularly after their performance at South by Southwest (SXSW) that year.

How many songs are on The Loon?

The Loon has 11 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

The Loon

Tapes 'n Tapes · 2005

41 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A playful mix of jangly guitars and quirky rhythms that evoke a sense of carefree exploration.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Insistor — With its catchy hooks and anthemic chorus, Insistor encapsulates the album's energetic spirit and showcases the band's knack for memorable melodies.
→
Crazy Eights — This track features intricate guitar work and a playful rhythm that perfectly represents the band's eclectic style, making it a standout moment on the album.
→
Omaha — Omaha combines introspective lyrics with a driving beat, highlighting the band's ability to blend thoughtful songwriting with infectious energy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The Loon showcases inventive songwriting with playful instrumentation, establishing Tapes 'n Tapes as a notable indie rock act.

What we noticed

The first track, 'Just Drums', features a minimalist percussion introduction that sets a playful tone for the album.
Several tracks, like 'Insistor' and 'Crazy Eights', utilize syncopated rhythms and jangly guitars, creating a sense of movement and spontaneity.
The album includes abrupt tempo changes, particularly in 'Omaha', which shifts from a steady beat to a more frenetic pace midway through.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Just Drums 3:44
2 The Iliad 2:15
3 Insistor 4:20
4 Crazy Eights 3:24
5 In Houston 4:04
6 Manitoba 4:12
7 Cowbell 2:33
8 10 Gallon Ascots 5:02
9 Omaha 3:32
10 Buckle 3:40
11 Jakov's Suite 4:37

What to play next

Listen next

Walk It Off

2008

Go back to

Tapes 'n Tapes

2004

Full Tapes 'n Tapes discography Artists like Tapes 'n Tapes

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata